Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
MIDDLESEX COUNTY – County Council received an in-depth update on the County’s emergency management program during its May 27 meeting, outlining the efforts underway to strengthen local preparedness, enhance training, and expand volunteer engagement.
Presented by Bettina Weber, the County’s Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC), the report emphasized Middlesex’s centralized approach to emergency planning. “Middlesex County has long been of the opinion that one kind of centralized emergency management program for the whole county has really done well for us,” Weber said.
Weber detailed the key responsibilities of the CEMC role, including emergency plan development, public education, coordination with municipalities, and maintaining the County’s emergency support resources. She highlighted the return of school presentations for Grade 7 students and emphasized the importance of having pre-stocked equipment such as cots, blankets, and supplies housed in Emergency Support Unit trailers stationed in Lucan, Thorndale, and near Glencoe.
“If you don’t have this equipment of your own in a major emergency, there’s very little hope that you might get it from somewhere else,” she said.
The report also reviewed training initiatives available to County staff and emergency personnel, including courses on basic emergency management, crisis de-escalation, and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) scribing. Weber noted an upcoming scribe workshop on June 12 in Kerwood, Adelaide Metcalfe, and a Basic Emergency Management course on June 24–25 in Coldstream.
Weber spoke at length about the County’s full-scale emergency exercises held over the past four years. In 2024, four municipalities—Adelaide Metcalfe, Lucan Biddulph, North Middlesex, and Thames Centre—participated in Field Exercises, a series of mock reception centre activations designed to simulate real-world emergencies. From small fire halls to large event centres, each setting presented unique logistical challenges.
“These are the realities of life… we are going to be servicing all members of the community when it comes right down to it. And, of course, those who are the most vulnerable are going to be the ones who are most likely to be using our facilities and our services.” Weber noted, recalling one volunteer’s role-playing as an unhoused person to test staff response.
County Engineer Chris Traini also commended the efforts of the Community Emergency Response Volunteers. “We owe a huge thank you to our CERV volunteers… certainly our activities in Middlesex County would not be near what they are today without having that great, dedicated group,” he said.
Weber confirmed that recruitment will reopen this summer for a new CERV cohort, which will begin training later this year.
